Portable commode



Filed Jan. 2.7, 1958 July 7, 1959 L. J. BECK PORTABLE COMMODEI vISSheets-*Sheet- 1 INVENTOR. ZAWRENCE J 550% 11 JMWaM ATMENEV y 7,1959 IL. J. BECK 2,893,017

PORTABLE COMMODE Filed Jdn. 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y[AWkf/Vf J 5EcK BY zwwzm July 7, 1959 L. J. BECK PORTABLE COMMODE FiledJan. 2?, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [Au leave: J fi-"CK BY UnitedStates Pat enrfO Hanover Associates, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corpo- .1ration of .New Jersey,

' Application January 27, 1958, Serial No. 711,355 sciaims. (Cl. 4-135This invention relates to a portable commode made *np'a's'a travel kitand compo'sed preferably of inexpensive material such as paperboard orboxboard and which is "arranged-to'be used with a disposable receptacleof baglikeform and made of some suitable waterproof material.

It has now become quite common, particularly for couples with smallchildren, to embark upon automobile 't'rips brotherexeursions where theordinary toilet facilitie's,"-'especially}forthe children, are notreadily available. Under such circumstances, a portable commode, such asis provided -'-by the present invention, is of the greatest "utility.Devices for 'thispurpose have been provided by the prior art, butonly'in forms which are relatively'large, 1ieavy,-cumbersomeandgenerally quite expensive as well as awkward to 'use.

'The present invention has as a primary purpose to provide a light,easily carried, portable commode arranged "for usewith disposablebag-like plastic or other waterproof receptacles and arranged, when intraveling -position,=to be relatively small and compact, and withemphasis on apleasing or decorative appearance.

While it has been proposed in the prior art to make portable 'com'modesof such rigid materials as plywood with metal fittings and apermanent-type receptacle, the present device 'is of very light butsturdy construction, being built up preferably of paperboard, such, forexample, as display-type corrugated paperboard which is now alvailableand/orwhich maybe provided with coloran as well as sanitary surfaces,for exampl'e'including a decorative pattern. Such a device, constructedin accdrdance with the present invention, is simple and cheap tomanufacture, and may betaken wherever it is desired "for use without"undue burdening to the user. Disposable receptacles of bag-like formfor use therewith are now commer cially available, madeup of suchplastic materials aspdlyethyl'en'el 'The'present device is adapted tothe use *bf "such disposablereceptacles. r .A feature (of the-device ofthe presentinvention :is that sufiiciently i'strorig-so thatsit may havea "relatively ltlng life and yet beiquite light to carryfronr'place toplace. This 'device?further2provides storage space for additionalreceptacles and "for other -items as .a mother might wish to carry forher child, as well as-space which may be bptionally used for :usedreceptacles pending an "opportunity for disposal thereof.

i-The present invention further provides a'type of const'ruction dfor .adevice of this :kind including foldable blanks of :the paperboardmaterial which, when suitably :folded and assembled together, make up"the present devicejall'without'the'use'ofimetal fastenings suchas couldicauseqinjury'toia very young child who might seek to use it orotherwise:come into contact with it. The de- 1 i ice wh'en assembled is provided*with substantially finishe'd surfaces-an'd -yet'may 'bemade and .soldat a minifire device, which is described in detail hereinafter and whichis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention withthe removable receptacle and the plastic band used therewith omitted forconvenience of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a length of tubing which may be used asa support for the seat portion of the device;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, substantially in vertical section on theline 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view substantially in perspective and with the partsseparated and partially assembled, illustrating a preferred mode ofconstructing the device shown in Fig. '9; r

Fig. 5 is a more or less diagrammatic 'view in transvers verticalsection showing a receptacle in place in the device and a part of theinterior construction;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of a C-shaped marginal band for theseat of the device of this invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view 'of a substantially cylindrical uprightsupport for the seat of the present device,

this support being formed from a flat blank;

invention is to use a decorative display-type corrugated paperboard andto cut and fold it in such a manner that the device as finished has thedesired decorative outer surface which is preferably alsomoisture-resistant Without requiring any subsequent printing or othersurface treating operations or covering with a decorative layer of paperor other material.

Referring first particularly to Fig. 4, this device of the invention maycomprise a box portion made up of a first blank 10 of corrugatedpaperboard of the conventional display type, which is preferably printedwith decorative design on the outside. This blank 10, as shown in thepartially assembled embodiment illustrated in Fig. '4, includes a bottompanel 11, side wall panels 12 and 13, a rear wall panel 14, a front wallpanel 15, a seat panel 16, a rear flap 17 of the same transversedimensions as the front wallpanel '15 and additional tabs and flanges ashereinafter set forth. These several panels, tabs and flanges are allintegral parts of the blank 10-but separated from one another by singleor double score lines, permitting the folding of the several panels inthe manner generally illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, as .shown in thisfigure, the rear wall panel 14 is folded upwardly with respect to thebottom wall panel 11 about a fold line 18; the side wall panels 12 and13 are folded upwardly with respect to the bottom panel '11 about foldlines 19 and 20; and the front wall panel 15 is folded upwardly withrespect to the bottom wall panel 11 about a fol'ddine '21. In additionto this, the 'seat panel '16 is connected to the front wall panel 15 ata fold line 22; while the rear flap 17 is connected to the seat panel ata fdld line 23.

The blank 1% is so cut out that the parts will-all fittogether with aminimum of overlap and in a=manner which will be neat and will not bulgeunduly. To this end itiis desired that the parts, after the folding ofthe fold-over nesses only of the material of which the blanks are formedand particularly so that when there are two folded over portions whichare folded at right angles to one another, they be so cut or shaped asto interfit with one another, so as to avoid substantial spaces therebe-'tween when the assembly is completed. For this reason the side panels12 and 13 are provided at their rear ends 1 with flap portions 24, whichare arranged to overlie the rear side of the rear wall panel 14 and arecut out at their upperends at in a manner complementary to cut outportions 26 of a flap portion 27 which extends upwardly from the rearwall panel 14 and is joined to it at a fold 'line 28. An arrow on Fig. 4shows how these parts are folded to fit together exactly and withoutoverlapping on the rear side of the rear wall panel 14 when the partsare completely assembled.

The forward end portions of the side wall panels 12 and 13 are eachprovided with a front flap portion 29, which is arranged to be foldedinwardly about a fold line 30 to the position shown for the flap portion29 provide a finished appearance for the upper portions of the sidewalls and to provide a smooth, rounded folded edge at 33, at the upperportions of each of these walls when the device is completely assembled.Furthermore,

- in order that the forward edge portions of the end walls 12 and 13 maybe similarly provided with rounded and finished edges as shown at 34,rather than a raw edge of the paperboard, fiap portions are providedextending forwardly from the end wall panels 12 and 13. Cut-out portions36 are provided complementary to the portions 35 as shown, so that theparts, when folded, will fit together in a single uniform plane asindicated at 37 for the parts associated with the end wall panel 12. Itwill be understood that the parts 31 and 35, when folded over asindicated, will be retained in their assembled position by the use of asuitable adhesive.

The seat panel 16 and the rear flap 17 are maintained free for movementabout the fold line 22, so as to permit access to the interior of theapparatus below the seat panel. In practice, this space, i.e. below theseat panel 16 and surrounding the circular member or members,

which aid in supporting the seat panel as hereinafter set forth, isintended for use as a storage space, either for unused or usedreceptacles or for other materials which it may be desired to storetherein.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one or more substantially cylindricalmembers as 38 may be employed. The

form shown in these figures indicates the use of two such members 38 and39 respectively, with the member 39 being of somewhat larger diameterthan the member 38 so as to surround it and assist it in supporting theseat panel 16. These two members are not necessarily concentricallyarranged, but may be somewhat eccentric to one another so as to fit intothe space provided. In lieu of a cylindrical member as 38, Fig. 2, it iscontemplated to use a member 40, Fig. 7, which is a modified formthereof that may be made up by bending a strip of flexible material sothat its ends overlap and securing these overlapping portions togetherby a suitable adhesive.

The one or more cylindrical members as 38, 39 and/or 40 may be securedto the bottom panel 11 by adhesive as indicated at 41, Fig. 5. Anaperture 42 is provided centrally of the seat panel 16, this aperturebeing slightly non-circular in that the forward portion is formed fiatas shown at 43 so as to accommodate a shield as shown,

for. example, at 44 in Figs. 8 and 9, and particularly to 4 accommodatea U-shaped gripping portion 45 of that shield.

Another structural feature shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is that the seatpanel 16 is slightly narrower in the lateral direction than the frontwall panel 15, which is effected by providing cut-out portions asindicated at 46. This accommodates the greater thickness of the combinedside walls 12 and 13 with their doubled-over portions 31 and 35 andpermits the free opening and closing of the seat panel.

The cover assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 is generally indicated at47 and includes a lid panel 48 which is formed integral with a rear wallpanel 49 and with a front flap 50. There are also formed as parts of thecover assembly 47 suitable additional flaps or flange portions as willbe hereinafter described. The lid panel 48 joins the rear wall panel 49at a fold line 51 and joins the front flap 50 at a fold line 52.

The rear Wall panel 49 may be formed with finished rounded edges byproviding a flange portion 53 contiguous with the panel 49 and joiningit at a fold line 54, and lateral fold-over portions 55 on each endwhich are joined to the rear wall panel at fold lines 56. These portionsare suitably provided with beveled and, as assembled, complementarymeeting parts 57 as shown so that when they are folded together, theywill all lie in a space corresponding to the thickness of one additionallayer only of the paperboard of which the blank 47 is formed.

The side edges of the lid panel 48 are similarly made smooth and roundedby providing fold-over flap portions 58 joined to the lid panel 48 atfold lines 59 and having cut-outs at the ends thereof at 60 and 61separating the portions 58 from the portions 55 and from similarportions 62 which are laterally joined to the front flap 50 and arrangedto be folded over to provide finished side edge portions therefor. Theportions 62 are joined to the lateral edges of the front flap 50 at thefold lines 63. These portions cooperate with a fold-over portion 64which is joined to the outer edge of the front flap 50 at a fold line 65and is provided with cut-outs at 66 to receive the complementarilyshaped parts of the portions 62. It will be understood that these parts,when folded to the desired position, will be suitably held in place byadhesive material.

Once the cover assembly 47 is suitably folded and completed in itself,it may be adhesively secured to the rear wall portion 14 of the boxportion or lower assembly after the latter has been similarly completedand the parts adhesively secured together as hereinabove taught and sothat the rear wall portions 14 and 49 are coincident with one another.

The lid panel may be held in place for traveling by the use of a closurestrap as shown at 67 in Fig. I, attachable by one or more snap buttons68 or other fastening means on the outside of the device, andparticularly to the side walls. It is contemplated, for example, thatother types of means than the strap 67 may be used if desired, althoughthis strap, if used, serves the double function of a closure means andalso a carrying handle for the device.

Fig. 5 shows the positioning of the receptacle 69 in the commode 29. Thereceptacles 69 may be of any desired flexible and waterproof material,for example, of a plastic material as polyethylene. As shown, the seatpanel 16 extends horizontally across the commode at a level below thatof upper edges 33 of the side walls and parallel to the bottom panel 11and is preferably additionally supported from the bottom panel 12 by anupright support 38, 39 or 40. The cylindrical members 38 or 40 form acentral chamber 70 within the commode for the receptacle 69. Thereceptacle 69 extends into the chamber 70 through the aperture 42. Acurved and substantially C-shaped band 71 of suitable resilient materialsuch as plastic is adapted to fit in the aperture 42 and is providedwith a rim or flange 72 abutting the upper surface of the seat panel 16and a downwardly extending skirt 73 which depends into the chamber 70.This flexible bag or receptacle 69 is preferably wrapped around the band71 as shown in Fig. 5, so that its outer edge passes beneath the undersurface of the flange 72 which rests against the seat panel 16. Theouter edge of the bag or receptacle 69 is introduced into the chamber 70on the outside of the skirt 73. The main body of the receptacle 69extends into the chamber 70 through the band 71 and rests on the bottompanel 11. The curved shape of the band 71 enables it to fit snugly inthe aperture 42; and the flexible characteristics of the receptacle 69cooperate to provide a tight closure of the aperture 42.

As shown in Fig. 6, the band 71 is substantially C- shaped, extendingaround the margin of the aperture 42. The band 71 has an open sector 74at its front side as seen in Figs. 6 and 8. This open sector 74 of theband 71 is arranged opposite an uncovered section 43 of the edge of theaperture 42 in which a shield or deflector 44 may be mounted, as shownin Figs. 8 and 9. The deflector or shield 44, which may be of anysuitable material, as plastic or metal, is mounted in its operativeposition on the seat panel 16 by the resilient clamping or grippingaction of a U-shaped foot portion 45 thereof, the foot portion 40embracing the seat panel 16.

The disposable receptacle 69 is easily detachable from the commode andthe band 71. Any suitable means available may be used for tightlysealing the disposable receptacle after it has been used and removedfrom the commode, for example, by a number of folds of the open end ofthe receptacle 69, securely maintained by a clamping means, such as atape, draw string or other means (not shown) fastened over the folds.Such means form per se no part of the present invention.

The device of this invention is simple, effective and foolproof inoperation. It is normally maintained in closed position while travellingwith the strap 67 fastened across the flap 50 to hold the lid panel 48securely in position against the rectangular case. Simultaneously, theflap 50 is held in fixed position across the front of the front wallpanel 15 and closes the front opening 75 formed by the discontinuitybetween the fold line 32 and the level of the upper edges 33 of the sidepanels 12 and 13. When the device is placed in use, detachment of thestrap 67 as shown in Fig. 1 allows the lid panel 48 to be raised anduncovers the receptacle 69 positioned in the chamber 70.

It will be noted that space is provided below the seat for carryingextra bags or receptacles 69, paper, powder and other accessories.Similarly, the seat panel 16 is in effect hinged at 22, so that it maybe raised and the area below the seat panel 16 and outside of thesupport 39 or 40 may be used for storage of accessories and of new and/or used receptacles or bags 69.

It will be seen that there is provided, in accordance with the presentinvention a portable commode which may be easily and quickly fabricatedand assembled, using adhesive throughout and without using types offas-' tenings which could reasonably injure a small child. Sharp cornersor other structures which could be harmful to such a child have benpractically eliminated throughout the construction of this device, sothat it is as fool proof as it is reasonably possible to make such adevice. At the same time, it is light in weight, relatively cheap tomanufacture, of an attractive appearance and not unduly bulky, so thatit may be taken wherever a family desires to go and used whenevernecessary.

While there is herein shown and described but one embodiment of theinvention, other embodiments, not necessarily restricted to use by smallchildren, can be visualized from the particular teachings hereincontained, I do not wish to be limited, therefore, except by the scopeof the appended claims which are to be construed validly as broadly asthe state of the prior art permits.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable commode, comprising a box portion made up from a foldedblank of paperboard providing a bottom panel, two side wall panels,front and rear wall panels, a seat panel extending from said frontpanel, a rear flap extending from said seat panel and having the samewidth in a vertical direction when assembled as said front wall paneland serving to help support said seat panel, said panels havingadditional tabs and flanges arranged to overlap adjacent panels; saidside wall panels being formed at least as to their upper portions byfoldedover portions of said blank contiguous with said side wall panels,so that said folded-over portions will provide smooth rounded upperedges at the top of each of said side wall panels when the assembly ofthe commode is completed; a cover assembly made up from a second blankof paperboard and providing a panel portion forming a part of the rearwall of said commode, a movable lid panel connected at a fold line tosaid panel portion forming a part of the rear wall, and a front flapconnected to said lid panel at a fold line; a central aperture formed insaid seat panel in which a removable flexible receptacle is adapted tobe placed for the use of the device as a commode; means for removablysecuring such a receptacle about the edge of said aperture in said seatpanel and comprising a curved band of resilient material having a flangeportion adapted to rest on said seat panel and another flange portiondepending through said central aperture, said band being adapted to becompletely enclosed in a part of said flexible receptacle while thecommode is in use, and at least one substantially cylindrical wallmember extending between said bottom panel and said seat panel andsurrounding the space for a receptacle as aforesaid substantially inalignment with said central aperture, each said cylindrical member beingsecured to said bottom panel and serving to assist in supporting saidseat panel.

2. A portable commode in accordance with claim 1, in which said curvedband is substantially C-shaped with an open portion and is disposed withthe open portion of the band toward the front of the commode, and ashield arranged to be disposed in the open portion of said C-shapedband, said shield having a U-shaped gripping part to engage a part ofsaid seat panel and a plurality of thicknesses of the material of whichsaid flexible receptacle is formed, so as to cooperate with saidflexible receptacle in the use of said commode.

3. A portable commode in accordance with claim 1, further comprising astrap member arranged to be connected adjacent to its ends to said sidepanels, and in which at least one of the connections therefor isremovable, said strap member being arranged in the traveling position ofsaid commode to embrace said front flap and to hold said movable lidpanel and said front flap in their closed position and also serving as ahandle for carrying said commode.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,431,538 Brief et a]. Nov. 25, 1947 2,747,732 Fischer May 29, 19562,801,426 Gorce et al. Aug. 6, 1957

